Life in Mackinaw City

2011-09-23T16:28:00.001-07:00

The Big Rigs Were In Town

2011-09-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

About 100 eighteen wheelers came blasting across the Mackinac Bridge Saturday night and the town was packed along the parade route with excited visitors waiting to get a glimpse of these big trucks. With horns blasting,the beautiful lighted, immaculate trucks made their way along South Huron and Central Avenue to the encouragement of the crowds. It was a perfect fall night and the trucks put on a great show. Take a look.

Big Wheels Were Rollin In Mackinaw!

2011-09-20T07:12:00.001-07:00

One tractor, two tractors, red tractor, blue tractor! That's right. The big tractors all 870 of them came to town on Thursday and 820 paraded across the Might Mac on Friday morning. I was unable to move my vehicle because the line up for the parade had started early. So I took several pictures from my car and then from the motel. Here are some of my favorites.

The Is The Job

2011-09-20T05:46:00.000-07:00

I was out in the back parking lot when I noticed a bridge worker walking on the catwalk up the cables towards the towers. Then a crane came along and hoisted up a platform for the worker. Can you imagine the view from there? I'm not certain that I could walk up the catwalk and feel like I'm not going to fall. But I sure would love to give it a try. How about You?

Do You See What I See?

2011-08-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

It was another glorious sunrise. I looked out my window about 5:30 and caught a glimpse of a ship..or so I thought. I looked closer and noticed that there were two ships passing right in front of the motel. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. Take a look.

Peaceful Morning

2011-08-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

This morning around 6:00, I opened my door (and eyes) and saw this...
The predawn sky was a blaze with deep orange hues and streaks of aqua that set the water and scenery aglow with the colors of the early morning sky. It looked and felt soft. There were no signs of the fiery ball that caused this heavenly display. But this was enough to start my day off in the right direction.

Beauty In The fog

2011-07-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I look through the lens of my camera,I am astounded at what I see. The beauty of nature is all around us and it presents itself in many different ways throughout the changing seasons. I was amazed at the beauty in the fog we had here in early June. The way the evening sun tried to break through the fog, was a beautiful sight.

Surprise Visitor

2011-07-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

The other morning,our cleaning staff had a surprise visitor. Apparently one of our guests had checked out and left the door to the room wide open. When our staff had passed by the room they noticed that a baby squirrel had made it's self comfortable in the window watching people come and go and of course, enjoying a fantastic view of the bridge.It looked so comfy sitting on the window sill with it's tail tucked under it's chin. We decided that the squirrel had to go home so we went into the room and it hopped off the window sill and jumped to the floor and out the door. I don't think he even had a credit card.

Finishing Touches

2011-07-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

We had about three days of gorgeous weather and that meant the painting could be completed. The painter completed the last spot on the building and the upper freeze boards and gutters. Plus any touch up work. Lynn and Vincent finished all of their final painting including the back two balconies, support poles and planters. Take a look...

Almost Done

2011-06-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

All 33 doors have been painted, classic burgundy. Lynn and our nephew, Vincent, have painted all the light fixtures, poles and stairs. Take a look.

We're Getting There!

2011-06-18T05:03:00.000-07:00

The front of the building,drive thru and back of the bulding are painted. The trim work, doors and stairs still have to be painted. We're amazed at how fast this project is getting done.

The Deer

2011-06-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

That's right, a doe. A female deer. I was driving to Cheboygan this morning when I was on the crest of a hill, I saw her. She was bent over a buck that was killed by a car.I came to a stop and waited for her to make the next move. She nuzzled him trying to make him get up. Nothing happened. She stood up straight and looked at me. She turned and started running and jumping along on the shoulder of the road.Her pretty white tail ran and jumped for about a mile before she suddenly stopped. I again stopped to see what she was going to do. Traffic in the on coming lanes also stopped and gave her plenty of room. She darted into the street and stopped in the middle and just looked at me as if I was the driver that killed her buck. She then jumped over the ditch and back onto the highway. She ran on the shoulder of the road for about a half mile. Then darted abruptly across the road and jumped the ditch. This time I waited and she did not return to the road. Instead she disappeared into the woods.
Deer have such pretty eyes and are very graceful. It was a shame to have to meet one under these circumstances.

The Cocoon A.K.A The Lobby

2011-06-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

Today the lobby area, living quarters and the drive thru get painted. The painter had me lock both doors and he put plastic and tape over the doors and windows. I feel like I'm in a cocoon. I can't see out. All sounds are muffled and I can hear the painters spray gun and roller as he works. It is very peaceful.Take a look.

The Paint Job

2011-06-10T04:43:00.000-07:00

We thought we would show you painting in progress. First all the doors and windows are caulked. Then the windows and doors are taped off and covered with plastic. Finally the tarps are put on the decking and dropped from the roof to the parking lot. The sealer is applied over the brick. While the sealer is drying on the brick, the paint is applied to the second floor. After this is done, the paint is applied to over the brick. By the time this is completed, the second floor is ready for the second coat of paint. After this, the first floor gets a second coat of paint. Then the day is done. The tarps are usually left up to protect the paint from the elements. However, it was too windy yesterday to put the tarps up, so let the painting begin. Take a look.

There Arose Such A Clatter...

2011-06-10T04:17:00.000-07:00

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Looked out to see what caused the loud crash...

That's when I heard the loud flapping of the huge plastic tarp flying in the breeze like laundry on a windy day. The landscape timbers and ladders that were used to hold the bottom of the tarp down, were being tossed about as the angry tarp tried to get free. The tarp was anchored to the building with screws. But the force of the 30-40mph winds were tearing the tarp from its' support. The ladders banged against the parking lot floor and the landscape timbers lay tossed about.
When the painter arrived with his crew the next day, the tarp had to be removed...if we could catch it. The wind was relentless. Between our staff and the contractors, the tarp was wrestled down and put away. Peace reigned once more at the Riviera.
Take a look at another wing painted and the great tarp wrestling match.

The Painting Has Begun

2011-06-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

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The painter began tarping on Monday. After the primer and two coats of paint, he left for the evening with the promise of unveiling the street side of the building on Tuesday morning.Here are the first photos...

Spring Drive

2011-06-06T04:46:00.000-07:00

I had to make a paint run to Gaylord the other day. So I loaded Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli and Elvis into my vehicle and off I went. When we left it was 46 degrees. In less than five miles out of town the temperature jumped to 76 degrees.( OK, that means open the sun roof.) Even though the leaves in Mackinaw were not open all the way,and the lilacs were just beginning to get their buds, I saw spring in different phases all the way to Gaylord. It is so peaceful and beautiful driving down I-75 in the morning with the golden rays of the sun bathing the new spring foliage.Each time I rounded a curve the fresh, bright,green of newly opened leaves greeted me. The trees looked fluffy. Driving through the Wolverine and Vanderbilt area the freeway rises up over high hills and some of the visage is astonishingly beautiful. It takes my breath away. Some of the views from the hill tops remind me of driving through the mountains. Everything looked so new and untouched. Under the trees along the freeway,white trillium's looked like a blanket of snow.In the center media, purple lilacs and apple trees were in bloom.The farms along the way had lush, green pastures where I saw cows and sheep nursing their young.
To me, spring serves as a reminder that life renews its' self.After a long,cold, snowy winter where everything lies dormant, it is a welcome sight to see spring in all it's beauty return to us.
As for Rod,Andrea and Elvis..they all behaved themselves!

Fun Times

2011-05-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

The Memorial Day Parade 2011 went off as planned yesterday. From the lobby I could hear the sirens and the sounds of music drifting from the streets downtown. At 1:00 Lynn and Vincent were off to the parade. Vincent took along my camera to take pictures of my childhood favorite...The Lone Ranger. Yes, he was there with his silver bullets and his trusty steed, Silver. Walking along side of the Lone Ranger was Tonto, his friend. As a child I loved watching the Lone Ranger get the bad guys and it taught me that to be a law-abiding citizen was the best way to live. It was a wonderful parade and I love the pictures that Vincent took for me of a childhood hero.

Dazed And Confused

2011-05-22T10:58:00.001-07:00

The other day Lynn was leaving to run some errands. He stopped abruptly when he notice a bird sitting in the drive thru. He got out of the car and tried to get the bird to fly away. But the bird wouldn't move. We got closer and discovered that the bird just didn't look right. Then I figured it out. I was in the lobby working when I heard a "thud" on the window. I thought it was someone waving at me,but it was this poor, confused bird. It flew into the window and had no idea if he was in China or Mackinaw. He was so dazed.
After about five minutes, the bird slowly flew onto the bushes.
The next morning, we were awakened by a huge "thud" on our livingroom window. This time it was a huge pigeon.
That afternoon I was in the lobby with a guest and another bird flew into the front window.
If you want to say hi, just wave and fly right by!

Foggy Times

2011-05-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year, because of the warmer temperatures passing over the cold waters of the straits, that we encounter fog. Sometimes it is an eerie feeling. Other times with the sound of the fog signal on the bridge singing out, it is very relaxing. The fog that we have had for the past few days lingers over the straits covering the bridge then revealing only parts of the bridge. Finally totally engulfing the bridge.
The fog allows the engine noise of the passing freighters to be heard and the engines of trucks and cars moving steadily over the Mighty Mac to be heard too. However, as I sit and write this I was brought upright out of my chair by a loud BOOM! Yes, the noise of the cannon being fired at Colonial Fort Michilimackinac reverberated against the fog magnifying the cannons' roar.
I hope you enjoy these pictures of foggy times in Mackinaw.

The Helpers

2011-05-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

I looked out the lobby window and saw this beautiful bird.. I have no idea what kind of bird it is. So I watched until I thought it flew away. Then there were about six of the feathery friends in the drive through picking at the seams in the pavement..

When they had made a mess all over the drive through it looked like they were line dancing. Take a look.

Who are these guys?

The Outing

2011-05-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day weekend,our daughter, Rebecca, and her husband, Tim, took me for a drive. The day was chilly and fog rolled in and covered the bridge or parts of it all day long. We headed for Wilderness State Park for a drive along the shoreline. I hopped out and took pictures of the fog rolling in over the beautiful beaches. This area is a beautiful example of how scenic the north country is. I hope you enjoy the ride!

Catching Up

2011-05-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Lynn and I have been busy with spring cleaning...everything. We have decided to give a fresh look to the Riviera. I was given the task of figuring out a color scheme.I poured over paint chips and paid close attention to Curb Appeal on HGTV. I was being very careful deciding the colors because I wanted the building to look great and because 100 gallons of paint is a big investment. After hours of careful consideration, I finally decided on a color scheme.
With paint chips in hand,I drove to Gaylord, about 65 miles south of here, to the paint store. I asked for a quart of paint of all the chosen colors. While the paint was being mixed up I happened to glance to my right because a color palette had caught my eye. I liked it so much I asked for two quarts of the new colors. I left the store with six quarts of paint and headed home. When I got home I asked Lynn for an old door onto which I painted both color schemes. The next day he carried the door outside and place it in different places on the building. You know what? He loved the new color scheme better than the on I spent hours coming up with. I will take pictures of the paint job in progress. We are looking forward to your reactions!

A Day In Mackinaw

2011-05-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

This was the first thing I saw out my window yesterday and how my day ended.

Meet The Flickers

2011-05-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have a couple of Northern Flicker woodpeckers that have moved into a tree next to our lobby. I heard the loud "singing" and went out to investigate. I took pictures of the happy couple while they were sitting on a branch by their nest. When a black bird tried to get into the nest, the male woodpecker chased him away and then proceeded to go into the hole in the tree where the nest is to check everything out. I think there maybe some little Flickers in there. The male then sent the female into the nest. He stayed on the outside of the tree and was pecking away. I think he was probably carving a "Home Sweet Home" plaque.

The Disappearing Act

2011-05-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

I looked out my window and noticed that fog was rolling in over the bridge. I grabbed my camera and outside I went. Within 5 minutes or less the bridge was entirely engulfed. See for your self.

The Drive

2011-04-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well we were able to find a shoehorn big enough to assist us in packing our car. What a job! We left our home about 9:15 a.m. last Wednesday. It was 54 degrees. As we drove north we watched as the temperature dropped and the rain mixed with sleet and snow. Finally, the rain was all heavy, wet snow.From Gaylord north it was like January. The heavy snow dripped from the evergreens and barren trees along the roadside. It was like being in a snow globe. The snow fell in huge, white, flakes across our windshield. Total accumulations were from 4-10 inches of the heavy, white stuff. But the roads remained wet and a little slushy. This was a first for us... driving up in heavy snow in April. We arrived in Mackinaw around 1:30. The plumber had turned on the water and now it was time to get ready for another season.
Take a look at these wintry pictures and see what month they remind you of.

The Contest

2011-03-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

For years Mackinaw City has had this contest of guessing when the fountain in front of city hall will melt. The contest is not being done this year. But I thought you might like to take a look at the frozen fountain and practice guessing for next years' contest. This fountain was taller than city hall when I took the picture in February. The fountain is usually still there when we return to Mackinaw around the 18th of April. Take a look. I'll try to find out the exact moment it melts and let you know.

The Ice Bridge

2011-02-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

One question I am asked frequently is,"How do people get off the island in the winter?" The answer, the ice bridge. The ice bridge is the frozen waters of the Straits of Mackinac that lie between St Ignace and Mackinac Island. The Native Americans take their Christmas trees and place them in the frozen waters thus marking the snowmobile trail to and from the island.Workers and residents of the island hitch a trailer to their snowmobile for supplies and off they go cruising the frozen straits to either the mainland or home to the island. The trail begins in the parking lot of the Mackinac Grill in St Ignace and ends near the library on Mackinac Island. I ventured across the Mighty Mac to the beginning of the ice bridge and took some pictures for you. I had to hurry because as you will be able to tell, the lake effect snow was moving in. Look closely at the final picture. You will see the channel light for the island and all the slender dark stick like objects are the Christmas trees marking the trail. I hope you enjoy the view of the beautiful ice bridge.

A Mackinaw Winter

2011-02-21T10:36:00.000-08:00

Winter time in northern Michigan is breathtaking.The waters of the Straits are hushed and frozen.The birds have all gone south for the winter. The results...it is extremely quiet.The morning air was clear and crisp a mere -12 degrees with a wind chill of about 30 below. I loved it. I decided to venture out and take a few pictures for you before the lake effect snow starts. So hitch up the dog sled and come along.
The morning began with a beautiful sunrise from my room.
I drove down by the shoreline hoping to get pictures of the ice waves. I was disappointed. There were no ice waves to speak of. I did shoot some pictures of the straits for you. I hope you enjoyed my morning out.

October Sunrise

2010-10-15T04:12:00.000-07:00

The other morning I noticed the sky had gray-black clouds streaking across a deep magenta background. This held all the promise of a beautiful sunrise. I grabbed my camera and out the door I went.I walked out into the frosty morning and down to the first beech east of the motel. The site was so beautiful it took my breath away.
The sky was changing into colors of lavender,pink and peach and these colors reflected into the satiny water. I stood there mesmerized by the peaceful beauty. I watched as swans glided by.I hope that through these pictures you can enjoy this beautiful sunrise with me.

We Were Warned...

2010-10-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

but we didn't listen. That's right. A French Voyageur pleaded with us to stay close to the fire tonight because Loup Garou (werewolves), Lutin (goblins) and Feu Follet ( mysterious ghostly lights) were everywhere. We were told to stay on the pitch black path leading to the fort entrance. We finally came upon the sound of howling wolves and were thankfully met by the fort guards. The guards warned us to go back but we didn't. Once inside the fort walls were could hear someone walking above. We turned and saw the ghost of a mid 1700's young woman dressed in her bridal gown wandering above us. We glanced around the fort compound and could see the safe havens of bond fires. Around the fire you might have been met by a French Voyageur, a Native American or a frontiersman. All sharing stories of people who had "disappeared" in a rather "shocking" manner. We entered homes in the fort where we were served cider, pumpkin bread and toffee. When we ventured out we were careful to avoid the s-c-a-r-y people wandering about. Into the church we went and learned about funerals that took place so long ago. Then back out into the fort compound. Not one of us wanted to go into the haunted house. We could appreciate the screams coming from there and we were content with that. I glanced to the second floor of a building when I heard a loud raaaaaaaaaaaa to find my daughter,Sarah, happily "greeting" people. Everyone was having a good time. We sipped on some cider while standing under the beautiful night sky. The multitude of stars shone down on us trying to shed light. Just to stand in this historic fort with the heavenly display above was an incredible experience.
We headed back to the motel, stopping to howl with the wolves and I must admit, we sounded pretty good! Down by the shoreline we walked under the amazing starry sky.
Next October I hope you will come up for this wonderful event. It is so much fun!

The Surprise Visitor

2010-10-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

Over the years we have had our share of bats, turkeys, chickens and one time, a bear in our back parking lot. But the other morning caught us by surprise.
I was upstairs answering emails at 7 a.m. when Lynn called me from the lobby and told me to bring my camera. I ran down stairs and asked him what he had seen and he said," A fox is in you flowers." At this time of day it is in between sunrise and night. It is very easy for an animal to "surprise" you. I eased open the front lobby door and peered out. It was freezing. A light frost was painted on my flowers under our sign. I looked closer and that's when I saw a small cat-like face looking over my flowers at me.The animal quickly disappeared into the darkness. About 9 a.m., I was in the lobby when the animal appeared in the drive thru hugging the wall. The fox didn't look well. He was lethargic and looked somewhat disoriented. He sat down by the flower pot and didn't care if someone walked by, or if a car pulled up. We stood about 15 feet from him. What a beautiful animal. His fur was getting white tips on the reddish brown coat.He just sat with eyes closed in the early morning sun. The police came and took him to the DNR for further testing.

Peaceful Shrine

2010-10-03T04:20:00.001-07:00

The other day I was supposed to be going to Cheboygan to grocery shop. As I was driving down I-75 on the sunny, fall afternoon, I decided to keep going till Indian River. I got off and visited The Cross In The Woods. I parked the car and ventured into the tree lined walk way passing several statues along the way including Our Lady Of The Highway, The Holy Family and St. Francis Of Assisi. I wandered along the path leading to the outdoor sanctuary glancing up and seeing the Crucifix through the trees. I sat in a pew and it was so peaceful.I was surrounded by trees. The birds were singing and all focus was on the huge cross in the center of the outdoor sanctuary. The original cross was made of redwood and was put in place in 1954. It has deteriorated over the years and a metal cross has temporarily taken its place. On the cross is a bronze image of the crucified Jesus which was put into place in 1959.
I did not want to leave this place. I hope you will put this on your "to do " list as one stop you don't want to miss when you visit northern Michigan.

Here Come The Eighteen Wheelers!

2010-09-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

The weather was crisp and clear. We waited anxiously for the sound of the trucks horns to warn us that they were on there way to Mackinaw from St Ignace. About 8:45 pm were heard them. We ventured down to our observation spot to view the 108 trucks in the parade. There were trucks loaded with blue lights, green lights and some had beautifully painted murals. We even had Alex from the hit tv show Ice Road Truckers stop and sign autographs. The trucks came by us with our flag flying and horns blaring. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the evening.

A Footnote

2010-09-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

You probably won't believe this, but Santa showed up for the tractor parade and yes, he was driving a John Deere. I guess even Santa is feeling the pinch of the recession because his "Deere" is for sale.

845

2010-09-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

That's how many tractors were in this years Antique Tractor Show.There were tractors of every color-orange, red, green, cream, blue and yellow. There were Farmall, John Deere, Ford, Allis Chalmers, Case, Oliver, and Minneapolis Moline just to name a few. There were tractors of every size driven by men and women. About 350 tractors paraded through town and met up with the end of the remaining 500 at the ramp of the bridge. The parade through town began around 9:30 and the last tractor got on the ramp to the bridge at 12:45. From our property I could here the sputtering of the engines as they made their way accross the Mighty Mac. I also noticed quite a few farmers were standing up on their tractors as they were driving over the bridge. That's not something you will see me doing. Hope you enjoy the parade.

A Sunday Ride

2010-09-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

My friend, Melanie, and I were on a mission to find pumpkins and cornstalks and to show me some of the back roads. We left in the sunny, early afternoon on Sunday and had a gorgeous ride. She showed me how to get to some beaches located on beautiful Lake Michigan and then we just meandered around the countryside stopping for me to take some pictures. Finally we arrived at the farm we always go to just to find out that the farm is no longer in business. We were very disappointed. We did finally find pumpkins and cornstalks at our own farmers market located in Mackinaw City in Conkling Hertiage Park. It was a great way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Stormy Weather

2010-09-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks, we have experienced very high winds and a lot of rain. One storm that hit in the early morning hours of August 19th dumped almost five inches of rain in a three hour period. This storm was accompanied by very high winds that blew the rain everywhere. I looked out my window at about 4 a.m. and was stunned at what I was seeing. The rain was pouring so hard that it made me feel like I was standing inside a water faucet turn on high. I could not see out any window because the heavy rain looked like a blurred sheet of glass.
A few days later, another storm hit with a gale warning this time. Freighters dropped anchor between St Ignace and Mackinac Island to take shelter from the powerful waves and wind. Another storm on Friday of Labor Day weekend hit again with high winds and rain. How high are high winds? The winds were blowing in excess of 40m.p.h. The Mackinaw Bridge Authority was escorting just about every kind of vehicle except cars.Waves on Lake Michigan were being reported at 15-25 feet. It has been a rough and tumble few weeks. Take a look.

Labor Day 2010

2010-09-11T04:33:00.000-07:00

Labor Day morning was dark and a light mist was falling. This was the first time in our 12 years that Labor Day morning was wet. I always look forward to taking pictures of the sunrise. I was disappointed this year. The sky looked threatening . I thought all the walkers would get soaked. I kept looking out the lobby window as I was setting up for breakfast in the lobby. I would wave to the guests they walked by on their way to the buses that would take them over the bridge. Finally, just as I finished setting up breakfast, I noticed a ray of sun. I grabbed my camera and took this picture of the sunrise. As our guests returned from the bridge walk, they would share stories of their adventure walking the Mighty Mac. The number one feeling...everyone on the bridge was having a blast. Total strangers would talk and tell stories of previous walks and how many times they have walked.
After the guests had finished breakfast and the telling of their stories,they wandered back to their rooms for a nap. I went about the business of running a motel with a feeling of contentment that our guests had such a good time.

Times Are Changing

2010-08-30T05:41:00.001-07:00

The early morning sun isn't so early any more and the sun sets earlier every day. The sun rises about 7 a.m. and washes the pool deck and trees in a golden pink cast. It is almost like the sun doesn't want to get out of bed to awaken the world.
In the evening, the sunset pictures I was able to take from our balcony, is now obscured in the trees in the Lighthouse Park next door. I have to venture out further and try to get sunset pictures elsewhere. The evening colors of the sunset rays are a golden-orange, indicating a change of season is near. It is a beautiful sight watching from the lobby as the sun rays set the trees aglow in a warm golden light.
There is a peacefulness that surrounds me as I watch the transition of the seasons. This is my favorite time of year for colorful sun rises and sunsets. Take a look for yourself.

Bats and Birds and Turtles..Oh My!

2010-08-27T05:35:00.000-07:00

We have shown you pictures of chipmunks,ground squirrels,bats,birds and more. Now I have a painted turtle for you. My neighbor across the street from us, told me that her son went outside and there it was. The turtle was right outside their door. He picked up the turtle and put it in a bucket of shallow water. After returning from work he returned the turtle to it's habitat. The art-like work on the belly of the turtle is beautiful. Take a look...
Oh, by the way, there was no sign of a hare! I guess the "tortoise" won :)

Another Beautiful Sunset

2010-08-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

Lake effect rain moved in briefly the other evening. The sky looked like we were really going to get a rain event.
We got spritzed on and then this...

Amazing Sunset

2010-08-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

There are no words to describe this incredible sunset. The soft pastel hues bathed everything and made one feel like they were part of a master portrait.

Morning Has Broken

2010-08-21T04:34:00.000-07:00

To borrow the lines from a famous song "Morning has broken". The colors were so soft and the morning so peaceful. The soft hues of pink and lavender washed over the landscape. It was a beautiful way to start the day.

New Memorial In Mackinaw

2010-08-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the Ironworker's Festival and phase one of the Ironworker's Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to all ironworkers. The memorial is a brief walk down the street from us, just before entering Colonial Fort Michilimackinac.

Hop To It!

2010-08-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

We asked, Cody, a member of our staff, to vacuum the stairs on the front of the building. He went to get the wet-vac that is stored in the poolroom under the pool. He took off an attachment and noticed this...
Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you, It is a good size frog in the exhaust hose. How it got there we have no idea. Lynn kept encouraging me to get closer for a better picture. I told him I did not need to get close because I have a zoom lens. You see, having five brothers really paid off in this case for me! I stayed at about ten feet away behind the lobby door..just in case he accidentally jumped out at me. Finally the frog jumped out and hopped away.

August Sunrise

2010-08-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

Looking out my window this morning the sun was casting a soft peachy glow. I ran out to the end of our building on the second floor and took these pictures for you. Hope these pictures get your day off to a pleasant start.

Colorful Fog

2010-08-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

This was what I saw when I looked out the window at 6:30 a.m. That's right...blue fog.
The early morning sun gradually changed the fog to white. Oh, by the way, that bird in the picture..I asked him to fly so he could be in my picture. Nice bird.

Breath Taking Sunset

2010-08-07T04:50:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures of sunset for you. The wind was kicking up the waves and the sun was darting in and out of the clouds. It was a clash of the noise from the rushing water and the peacefulness of the sunset. Hope you enjoy this moment.

Wave Action

2010-08-06T04:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon a cold front brought welcomed relief from the very uncomfortable heat and humidity. Along with the brief afternoon deluge came the wind. The wind had gust to 30 m.p.h. This really brought some wave action. By evening the waves were breaking at about 4 feet. I went under the bridge and took some pictures for you. Do you hear any Beachboy music?

The Flood

2010-07-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

The song Tiny Bubbles took on a whole new meaning the other day. I was putting away cleaning supplies in the closet outside the laundryroom and keeping an eye on the laundry in the washers. I had a plan to get all 12 loads done by early afternoon so I wanted to keep the laundry moving. I had just glanced at the machines and everything was o.k. I opened a closet door that blocked my view of the machines when Lynn came around the corner and said,"Oh, no"! There was bubbly, soapy water flowing into the laundryroom floor. We thought the smaller washer had a leak because the water was coming from beneath it. Then I noticed water coming from under the laundry tub. Lynn pulled out the big washer that was in the rinse cycle and we were looking behind it to find the problem. Then I noticed a tiny hole in the hose coming out of the washer. I immediately put my finger in the hole and voila, the water stopped pouring out. Now, because I could not stand there all day with my finger in the hole while water ran out of the machine, Lynn was able to replace it. Problem solved , right? Wrong! About ten minutes later the laundryroom floor was again flooded. This time it was from the smaller washer. We diagnosed the problem as a broken pump. We are not able to get a repairman here until sometime Monday. In the meantime we are averaging about 16 loads of laundry a day. One washer is not going to get the job done so I have been going to the laundry mat. While I'm doing laundry, the lyrics of Tiny Bubbles is running through my head. for those of you who are not familiar with the song, it starts out"Tiny bubbles in the wine.." hummmm. Sounds like a plan to me!

Sails of Many Colors

2010-07-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

This years Chicago to Mackinac yacht race was so colorful. The billowy sails were red,blue, lime green,yellow and yes, still some hold out beige ones. There were times when I counted thirty-five yachts, a tug boat, barge, and a ferry boat all at one time. As I stood on our pool deck I could look down Lake Michigan and the beautiful sails were visible. I took several pictures so you could get an idea of how colorful and beautiful these yachts look coming under the Mighty Mac.

The Yachts Are Coming!

2010-07-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

This morning I looked out my window and saw the first yacht from the Chicago to Mackinac race. I had to hurry because the yacht was almost out of sight. I snapped it just in time. Then I went out on the balcony by the end of the building and took some pictures of the early morning sun. I hope you can feel the calmness and see the beauty of the early morning in Mackinaw while you are having your morning coffee.

The Appledore V

2010-07-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

Most of yesterday I could look out at the straits and see this magnificent tall ship cruising the waters. I took some pictures from our place and then went to the Lake Michigan shore and took some others. Hope you enjoy.

Rain Drops A Fallin' On My Head ?

2010-07-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon, between assisting guests and helping me with laundry, Lynn enjoys a breather on the glider in the shade of the huge pine tree. Yesterday Lynn sat down and was enjoying the moment, when he felt what he thought was rain drops on his head. A few seconds later some landed on his arm and another went down his back. It wasn't rain and it was itchy. Lynn looked up in the pine tree and noticed a squirrel eating acorns and throwing his leftovers at Lynn. Look closely at the pictures and you will see how many pine cones the squirrel enjoyed.

Foggy Tug of War

2010-07-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Last week we had high humidity and foggy starts to our day. Notice in these pictures the fog bank is in St Ignace. All morning it headed toward us and at times encased the bridge. The fog reminded me of a tug of war game between St Ignace and Mackinaw City. The fog tried to push into Mackinaw City, but was halted and pushed back into St Ignace. It was fascinating to watch.

Drag Race on the Straits!

2010-07-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

This morning, with shampoo in my eyes, I took these pictures of two freighters, heading in the same direction, at the same time, going under the bridge. Talk about the "little boat that could"...take a look.

Ships Ahoy!

2010-06-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking Chips Ahoy! By the swimming pool I took pictures of the Nina and Pinta as they pasted by. It is a moment when one can reflect on what our predecessors must have gone through just to get here.
I'm used to seeing 1000 feet long freighters. Then I look out in the straits and see these incredible replicas from a bygone era. The Nina is the most historically accurate replica ever made.It is 65' long and 1919 square feet. The Nina was built 20 years ago and no power tools were used to recreate her. The Pinta was built 5 years ago and is the larger of the two vessels. The Pinta was designed and built larger to allow for deck tours. It is 3,800 square feet and has an air conditioned cabin below deck. Columbus had too much on his mind, like proving that one could actually sail into the horizon without falling off the then thought of, flat earth, to create air conditioned cabins. The Nina was Columbus' ship and he sailed on her for 25,000 miles. No one knows what happened to the Nina after 1501. If you get the opportunity to see these incredible historical ships, treat yourself. In the meantime, hope you enjoy my photos of them.

The Nina

The Pinta

Rainy Morning

2010-06-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

They other morning the weather forecast was for storms...the yellow and red ones on radar. Sure enough about 9:30 a.m., the dark clouds moved in. I thought...we are really going to get clobbered. I watched the clouds dance their way across the straits. A line appeared down the middle of the bridge and straits. From St Ignace to Mackinac Island the rain poured While here we got spritzed on. Take a look for yourself.

The Visitor

2010-06-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

I was folding the last of the laundry the other day. I took a step backward to put the laundry on the shelf. All of the sudden I felt something on my calf. I looked down and saw something black and about 8 inches tall trying to climb my leg. Naturally I screamed so loud I could have been heard on the space station. I tossed the laundry up in the air as the bird started fluttering around my face and neck. I thought Lynn would come running. But I ran out of the laundryroom and saw Lynn on the glider getting some vitamin D and asked him if he planned to help me out. He said that he was on his way and asked what was going on. I told him that a black bird of some kind mistook my leg for a birch tree and was waiting in the laundryroom for a personal escort out. The bird did not want to leave. Finally the bird was captured by putting a rag over him and carrying him into the park where he was released. I guess I need to keep the storm door closed to the laundryroom.

The View

2010-06-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

I drove to West Branch yesterday to pick up our flowers for planting. I am always in awe of the beauty to be seen just driving along on the interstate.
I left Mackinaw about 10:30 a.m.. The sun was shinning and the sky was incredibly blue. The way the sun danced off the bright, green, spring leaves was a sight to behold. The hills along side I-75 are lush with grasses, wildflowers and "fluffy" looking trees. As I drove along I came to the top of a hill and looked out over the rolling countryside all decked out in the brilliant colors of green.The farms on these hills have a fresh coat of paint on the barns and the fields have been plowed and planted. It is amazing to me how very hilly areas can become farms planted with corn that will grow straight and tall. I wonder, how does a farmer stay in his tractor on the side of a hill?
I noticed the further south I drove the clouds increased. The white fluffy clouds took on a life of their own. Sometimes there were dragons and other times a dollop of whipped cream awaited me around the bend in the road. When I came to the crest of another large hill, the clouds gave me a "thumbs up". That's when I knew this was going to be a great day. And it was.

The Perfect Shot

2010-05-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

I noticed a man standing in the cold,rocky water of the straits. He was standing there with his tripod anchored in the water for sometime waiting for the perfect shot of the lights coming on the bridge. He must have been getting really uncomfortable standing on the rocks and feeling the cold water on his legs because he headed to shore. Then he had to walk over a very rocky patch...
He apparently decided the time was right to take his picture,so he headed back in over the rocky beach. I could imagine the oooos and owies has he walked in.

He did it!

Frustration!

2010-05-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Can anyone out there tell me why pictures take on a mind of their own when published to the blog? I spend a lot of time arranging them just the way I like and then bam! They get posted wrong! Can anyone tell me why?

Evenings..the Best Part Of The Day

2010-05-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

I took a walk the other evening along the beach and took these pictures for you. There is nothing like ending the day gazing at the beauty of the straits area.

Finally it was time for a gorgeous sunset...I wasn't disappointed. Thanks for keeping me company .

Patchy Fog?

2010-05-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

The weatherman called for a forecast of "patchy" fog. I watched as it rolled in off the straits and loved the way the sun looked as it's rays bounced off the fog.I felt as though I was being engulfed in nature as I walked into the fog. A very peaceful moment.

Springin Ahead

2010-05-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Usually at this time of year, the trees are just starting to bud...if we are lucky. By Memorial Day weekend my daffodils are blooming and the trilliums can be seen as you glance into wooded areas as you drive by. Not this year. We have blossomed! The trees are in full bloom and the lilacs which normally don't bloom until mid June are blooming in Cheboygan and neighboring cities. The trilliums have been seen for the last two weeks. I stopped just before going into Gaylord and shot theses pictures of trilliums for you.
For those of you that are not familiar with the trillium I will tell you a little about them. They are white flowers about the size of a coffee cup around with three petals. In certain stages of bloom they are a rosy-lilac color.They are named for the triune God because of their three white petals and are one of Michigan's favorite wildflowers. Enjoy!

The Latest News

2010-05-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather has broken and it is not snowing here, it is actually a short sleeved kinda day. It is sunny, with a gentle breeze blowing, and we have a beautiful blue sky. The straits are so calm they look like blue satin. A site like this makes it very difficult to get any work done. I'd rather pull up a lounge chair and enjoy the view under the warm sun. This is not to be and here is why.
We are renovating some bathrooms...contractor #1. We have renovated the smoking rooms and put new carpeting in them as well as others...contractor #2 and we are doing some repairs to the outside of the building...contractor #3. All this work will be completed by Memorial weekend.
Lynn is busy installing new light fixtures in the rooms and is getting started on the swimming pool. This afternoon he will power wash the pool. Tomorrow he will paint the pool and on Thursday he will put all the safety markings in the pool. He will let it dry for 24 hours and then start filling it. All 26,000 gallons. The filling takes two days. The heater will be lighted and in approximately 36 hours the water will be 95 degrees. It will be waiting for your cannonballs or for you to sit back, relax and watch freighters go by.
I have been busy getting all linens ready,assisting the staff with cleaning issues,answering contractor questions, and meeting with sales persons over the purchase of new luggage racks and chairs for the rooms. Also I have been meeting with people to purchase about 12 flats of flowers,mulch and any other supplies needed to do our spring planting. I am hoping to plant the first weekend in June. My sister and her hubby, our daughter and her hubby, are coming up to help. It will be a great weekend! We are looking forward to having you enjoy out labors. Hope to hear from you!

A View From The Top

2010-05-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Our,daughters, Andrea and Sarah took me to Old Mill Creek on Mother's Day. It is a wonderful place to hike on nature trails or climb a rock wall amongst other things. They climbed the wall...I decided to take the short cut by walking the eight flights of stairs to the top. When I got to the top this is what I saw...

Down By The Old Mill Stream

2010-05-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful day with our daughters, Andrea and Sarah, at Old Mill Creek. It is a fantastic place for hiking, observing animals in their natural habitat and enjoying the beauty of the north country. The saw mill is a replica of the 1790 mill that was used on this site. Period actors demonstrate the use of the water powered saw. The swinging bridge is on the last leg of the guided tour to the ZIP line that Andrea and Sarah went on (someone had to stay on the ground and take pictures for you).
About 50 feet above the mill pond is the swinging bridge you must walk across before getting to the "jump off" point.

Here they come! We had so much fun that I am planning on "zipping" over the mill pond the very next chance I get!

I have to get me one of these!

Where Am I?

2010-05-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Make a guess where this picture was taken from. Let's see if anyone can figure it out!

Getting Better

2010-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Finally, I was able to get a somewhat decent night picture of a freighter going under the Mighty Mac. Hope you enjoy!

Evening Serenity

2010-05-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

In case you are missing the beauty of a sunset in Mackinaw, I took a picture of yesterday's for you. Hope you enjoy it!

The Sites of I-75

2010-05-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

When Lynn and I were driving north, we thought the following sight was hysterical. Men take heed..if your lady wants to come up north, bring her or suffer the consequences!
On your next trip here, see if you can find Ray's doghouse. Does anyone know where this doghouse is located? Please let me know!

We're Back!

2010-05-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Yes we are back in Mackinaw! We arrived to a gorgeous blue sky and sun last Thursday. So far we have unpacked,spring cleaned the lobby and living quarters,made plans for some bathroom renovations and did a lot of shopping. I have also done the equivalent of about 90 loads of laundry and drove to Gaylord to drop off the drapes to the cleaners. We are also happy to report no winter damage to the building and no water damage when the water was turned on. By far the most amazing observation is the early spring we are experiencing. The daffodils are blooming along with some tulips and even the trees are thinking about blooming. This has never happened in the years we have been running the motel. Maybe it is a sign that we will have a warm summer. We are hoping!

Heading North

2010-04-21T06:07:00.001-07:00

Today is packing day. We always think we are taking less "stuff" then the moment of truth hits us. We need a van stretcher. We not only have all our personal belongings, but add to it four flat screen TVs, the computer and of course Lynn's' baby, his miter saw, and suddenly packing becomes a lesson in logistics. Why all the flat screen TVs? The flat screens are liquid crystal and if they are left in rooms that are unheated they will freeze. Poof! Unusable TVs. So they come home with us for the winter as does the computer for the same reason. The TVs are rather funny...imagine watching the Super Bowl on five TVs! While it may be a guys dream, it looks somewhat like an appliance store to me.
Outside in my backyard, the grass is green,the lilacs,apple blossoms and other trees are in full bloom. I don't think this will be the case in Mackinaw. Usually when we arrive there the spring flowers are just starting to break ground. And leaves on the trees? Nope. Not even a hint of green. Usually by the end of May, if we are lucky, the leaves will be budding.
I'm, going to take pictures along the way north to see spring in various stages. I'm hoping there will be at least a hint of spring in Mackinaw!

Excitment In Mackinaw??

2010-04-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

The other day I called my friend in Mackinaw to see what was going on. She told me nothing was happening at all until yesterday. I asked her what happened. She told me that she received a call from another neighbor asking if she new why the police were at the Riviera. She said she had no idea why they were there. She called the police and asked why they were at the Riviera and inquired if the motel had gotten broken into. The police told her that the building was secure and that they were just looking for a lost dog! Yep...that's just about as exciting as it gets in Mackinaw this time of year.

Spring Update

2010-04-10T17:09:00.001-07:00

We are busy making plans to renovate some bathrooms and to convert the smoking rooms to non smoking rooms because the Michigan Legislature pasted a no smoking law that will take effect on May 1, 2010. This involves all new carpeting,bedding and special cleaning of all furniture and walls to make the room fresh. It is a unique experience doing renovations in Mackinaw because in the metropolitan area I'm from, every possible item I would need for a renovation is at my fingertips. Not so up north. We will need to drive to Petoskey or Gaylord for supplies and I always hope I haven't left anything off the "things to buy" list. Otherwise I will have to drive approximately 100 miles round trip to buy anything I have forgotten.
We are also hoping that the winter was kind to our building and that when the water is turned back on, no pipes will burst. That always brings a surprise renovation that we were not counting on.
Please keep your fingers crossed for us that all goes well. We will keep you informed.

Snowy Mackinaw Day

2010-02-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

The snow was coming down and the wind was blowing out of the northwest. I went down under the bridge and snapped some pictures. It was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g on the beach! Yet it was so peaceful. The water is frozen so there is no noise from the waves. All you hear is your heart beating. So make yourself a hot beverage, relax and enjoy the winter beauty of Mackinaw.

The ice waves were incredible. They looked like mountains of whipped cream

In this day and age, it is hard to fantom complete silence. I could actually hear the snow falling on the bare trees and through the air. I cannot imagine how desolate it must have been for the lighthouse keeper or how bitterly cold it must have been to soldier on guard duty.

Phil The Groundhog Was Right!

2010-02-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Yes... I agree with the Pennsylvania groundhog and I can prove it! There will be only a few more weeks of winter. Take a look at this picture of me and see if you know why I am so certain!

Winter In Mackinaw

2010-02-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

This is not a normal winter season in Mackinaw. There was less than a foot of snow on the ground and it was a sunny, blue sky,15 degree day. ..for the first two days. The kind people at Sheplers' Ferry invited us to take pictures from their dock. It was an incredible view of frozen waves.Imagine the fury of the waves and the frigid temperatures that must have occurred to make this magnificent sight. I hope you enjoy this view from your nice warm home!

Winter Greetings!

2010-01-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd let you know that I will be going to Mackinaw City for four days in February. While I am there I plan on taking some winter pictures. If you would like to see a particular picture of you favorite Mackinaw location, just let me know and I will try to honor your request.

Stormy Weather

2009-10-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Fort Fright Night, was strange day for weather. This is a picture of a storm moving in from the north.

The sun was out one minute. Then I noticed the white stuff...yep, it was snowing in St Ignace. The day continued with a mix of rain, sleet and snow. Finally around 4p.m. we had a downpour of the wintry mix driven by very gusty winds. I looked at the calender to make sure that it was October...it was. I was thankful that this wet weather ended in time for us to go to Fort Fright.

Fort Fright Night

2009-10-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

All 24 of us left for Fort Fright at sunset, dressed in winter clothes. It was very brisk with strong winds blowing out of the Northwest.

We stopped by a bond fire and listed to the French voyageur wearing a skunk skin hat, tell us why he is to frightened to sleep in the fort. Then he pulled his good luck charm out of his shirt..a REAL snake! I was ready to face the ghosts and spirits of the fort, but not SNAKES! I was going in! The werewolves were howling and people were screaming. It was so dark in the fort that I could not see anything or anyone. I lost track of everyone. My daughter, Rebecca, was with me and we proceeded to venture forth into some of the buildings collecting samples of pumpkin bread,cider and listening to the scary tales in front of fireplaces and bond fires. For all of you guests that wanted to hear me scream, you missed it! Rebecca and I were walking back through the wooded area outside the fort walls when I spotted a bright small light out of the corner of my eye. I screamed thinking that it was a goblin coming to get us and threw my arm in front of Rebecca. I scared the person with the cell phone so bad that she jumped. Rebecca was laughing at me and told me that next time I could protect her from a possible Ipod attack!
We finally made it back to the motel and made sure the cider and donuts were ready for everyone when they returned. Stories of the scary night were exchanged and fun was had by all..even if we were frozen!

P.S. No one was harmed in the making of this scary evening. A special thanks to Rebecca for her pumpkin carving..it added so much to this festive night!

Beautiful Evening

2009-10-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

This was a gorgeous late September evening and I thought you would enjoy a glimpse of it.

12 Days Till Closing

2009-10-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I could not sleep past 4 a.m.I was laying there thinking ...only 12 days till we close for the season.Humm...12 days till closing 12 Days of Christmas. That's when I got inspired to write my version of The Twelve Days.Hope this little diddie of mine gives you a few laughs!

The 12 Days Till Closing

On the First day till closing Lynn said to me, " We have a motel to be closed".
On the second day till closing Lynn said to me, "We have two chipmunks running".
On the third day till closing Lynn said to me," We have three plumbers plumbing".
On the fourth day till closing Lynn said to me,"We have four calling seagulls".
On the fifth day till closing Lynn said to me,"We have FIVE BATH TUB RINGS".
On the sixth day till closing Lynn said to me, "We have six reservations pending"
On the seventh day till closing Lynn said to me,"We have seven cannons a firing".
On the Eight day till closing Lynn said to me, "We have eight phones a ringing".
On the ninth day till closing Lynn said to me, "We have nine bats a hanging".
On the tenth day till closing Lynn said to me, "We have ten toilets flushing".
On the eleventh day till closing Lynn said to me,"We have eleven cheers from housekeeping".
On the twelveth day till closing Lynn said to me,"We have twelve rooms to be locked".

Now, I know that you are all humming along and will probably have this tune stuck in your heads all day long. There is no need to thank me!

I See The Light

2009-10-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is McGulpin Point Lighthouse. Around May 27 of this year, the original light was put back in the tower. It will always stay lighted. I have tried on numerous occasions to snap a picture of the light for you. Finally I did it! Here it is for you.

Here Come The Big Rigs

2009-10-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we were blessed with a warm, clear night. The sounds of 106 big rigs could be heard before you saw them. These trucks are immaculate and loaded with lights in places I had no idea truck lights could be put. They are beautiful against the black night sky. Some were totally encased in patriotic murals. Those were the ones that got a huge response from the crowds that lined the main streets. The parade lasted about 1 1/2 hours. This year I was standing at the intersection of Central and North Huron. I watched with amazement at the big trucks trying to make this very tight turn. It was a great time!

902!

2009-10-01T05:35:00.000-07:00

That's right...902 antique tractors came and most drove across the Mackinac Bridge. We had green ones,red ones,white ones and yes even pink ones.There were Farmall,John Deer and Olivers, just to name few. They lined up, some with the flag flying out behind, others waited patiently for their turn to make "the drive".The parade started at 10:30 a.m. and we watched the last tractor leave our sight at 3:10 p.m.It was quite a parade.
These tractors evokes memories of a by gone era. It is a pure slice of Americana. Hope you will be able to see this for yourself next year.

/a

Labor's Day

2009-09-12T04:26:00.000-07:00

The morning broke with a beautiful sunrise over a fog bank. This fog bank rolled down the straits and engulfed the bridge. I felt sorry for the people on the bridge because they couldn't see a thing. I felt like shouting"Land Ahoy" when I saw them emerge out of the fog. This is a first for us, we have never seen fog on Labor's Day before.I'm happy to report that the people in front when the fog hit, kept walking straight ahead and that no on was lost during the fog.

50,000 people walking the bridge in the fog, was kind of weird... I could hear people shouting when nearing the finish line, but I could not see them. After all, it isn't every day one gets to walk the Mighty Mac in the fog. It sounded like great fun was had by all!

Whoops!

2009-09-05T04:39:00.000-07:00

I don't get it! Computers can be exasperating. I was proud of my movie about the stormy Saturday. I wrote a little blip about it and imported the movie..just like I'm supposed to. I previewed the story and posted it for you. And NOTHING! No movie. Just a story. It is like trying to eat ice cream with no spoon. I promise, I will find out what happened and you will see the movie. Has crazy things with your computer ever happened to you?

Stormy Weather

2009-09-04T03:58:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had quite an all day storm. The winds were howling at 40 mph and some gusts were higher. A cold front dropping down from Canada coming over the warmer lakes, created lake effect rain. In other words it poured like crazy...sideways rain is what we had. I went out to stack chairs on the balcony because they were blowing around. I didn't have to walk far because the wind blew them at me. I took a movie of this day for you. So batten down the hatches!

Lucky Ones

2009-09-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

The other morning I glanced out the lobby window and caught sight of two incredibly lucky people flying high above the Mighty Mac. This is one ride I wish I was on!

Watch Your Step!

2009-09-03T03:52:00.000-07:00

They other evening around 9:00 after the last guest had taken the final dip in the pool for the day, Lynn had to give the pool a special treatment. He headed out to the pool house in the dark. The pool house is located under the pool. Lynn proceeded down the seven stairs and was about to unlock the door to the pool house when he heard "crunch". He picked up his right foot and there in was...he had stepped on a small frog. Yep, you guessed it...the frog croaked.

Morning Has Broken

2009-08-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

It is 6:10 a.m. I walked outside to take pictures of the morning sunrise for you. The air is calm and crisp like autumn. The deep peachy hues of sunrise are just beginning to break across the sky. A freighter is slipping quietly under the bridge.Take a glimpse and enjoy the morning with me.
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A Piece Of History?

2009-08-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

While walking on the beach of Lake Michigan, I spotted this chunk of cement. The wording on this chunk made me wonder if it had anything to do with the building of the Mackinac Bridge. What are your thoughts?

August Sunset on Lake Michigan

2009-08-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

The mid August evening was breezy and cool. I went for a drive by McGulpin Point Lighthouse and decided to drive onto the beach of Lake Michigan.The sunset was beautiful and I promised you that when I saw a beautiful sunset I'd post it. So here it is. I hope you enjoy it!

Serene Moment

2009-08-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

Serenity. That is what we all need at the end of the day. I hope this picture brings some peaceful thoughts to the end of your day.

What About The Sunsets?

2009-08-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

I know there are a lot of you that enjoy seeing photos of the sunset and are probably wondering why I haven't put any sunsets on the blog. Well, there is a simple explanation for this...there haven't been any. The entire month of July there was not a beautiful sunset. So far August hasn't looked any better. I am still holding out hope that I will get at least one beautiful sunset for you. When I do you will see the photos here.

Driving the Mighty Mac

2009-08-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

I used to be terrified of crossing the bridge, let alone drive across it. My then small children used to sing the theme of The Twilight Zone as we crossed the bridge just to add a little more terror for me.I would hold on to Lynn's arm so tight that he would have my nail prints in his arm by the time we made it across. Now I drive it...no problem. I had a total change of heart. I figure that there are thousands and thousands of people who drive across every year and nothing happens. I also decided that if something did happen to me (not very likely) that the almost 200 foot fall would kill me anyway, so why not enjoy the ride. For all of you who are not overly fond of the crossing, I have some therapy for you. For all of you who just want to be on the bridge I have a ride for you. I strapped my camera around my neck, set the camera on the center of my steering wheel and snapped away. The free therapy I'm offering to those of you who would like to enjoy crossing the bridge, is that you play this blog over and over until you feel comfortable. For all of you bridge lovers,I hope you enjoy the ride.
I'm heading to St Ignace and approaching the south tower.

I'm almost under the south tower and the north tower is visible.

I'm in the center of the bridge. How are you doing? You have made it this far... don't give up!

We are now about to drive under the north tower. We're almost to the toll booth. Hang on!

Toll booth is in sight. You made it!

I sure hope all of you enjoyed the trip across the Mighty Mac. I finally do!